Who, what triggered looming relief of Iloilo’s top police officer?

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Barely four days after reporting his accomplishments as Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) chief, Colonel Bayani Razalan’s tour of duty appears set to end.

The reason is reportedly political tension within Iloilo province.

It appears Razalan was caught unaware in a political conflict involving some local personalities.

Reports indicate Razalan incurred the ire of an incumbent congressman following an incident on April 14 in Barangay Maasin, Passi City.

It remains unclear whether the gathering was an organized political activity, but the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 confirmed it had scheduled a distribution of Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) financial aid at the time.

DSWD personnel, instructed not to start payouts in the presence of any elective officials, delayed the distribution until the congressman finished speaking.

Tension arose when the Maasin barangay captain questioned why he had not been informed about the event.

“He was asking why he wasn’t asked for a permit to hold the distribution in his area,” a source said.

Police officers then consulted the DSWD staff, who decided to move the payout to a different location.

When asked about the incident, Razalan said he was aware of the distribution’s interruption but not of the specific individuals present.

Razalan explained he had signed a deployment order assigning six Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company officers to provide security during DSWD payouts.

“They’re handling several millions in cash. That’s why the agency coordinates with the PNP for security during payouts,” he said.

During the confrontation, two Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel in a marked Toyota Vios patrol vehicle passed by.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjo Clarite, Passi City police chief, confirmed the SWAT officers were part of the IPPO’s Integrated Police Deployment Plan and not assigned to the local police.

Razalan said SWAT personnel were instructed to patrol rather than remain on standby at police camps.

The presence of SWAT officers may have been misconstrued as a show of force against the congressman and his camp.

It is alleged that the matter was escalated to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame.

Camp Crame later issued an order for Razalan’s removal.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, said he had no part in Razalan’s relief.

“The instruction came from Camp Crame and Chief PNP General Rommel Francisco Marbil. But since the relief order falls within my level of authority, I made the letter request to COMELEC,” Wanky said.

As Razalan holds a third-level PNP position, his relief order requires approval from the Commission on Elections national office.

Despite the situation, Razalan said he accepts his impending relief.

“As I’ve said, I’m a professional police officer and I’m bound to follow orders,” he said.

Several ranking officers said Razalan’s case highlights the political pressures within the police organization.

“Imagine, sa isang sutsot lang ng pulitiko or any influential person, you could be axed from your post?” a police official said adding, “parang nawalan ng silbi ang aming badge.”

(Imagine, at just one signal from a politician or influential person, you could be removed from your post. It feels like our badge has lost its meaning.)

Another officer claimed someone from the congressman’s camp was twisting the story to fit their narrative.

Just days ago, Razalan had highlighted his accomplishments as IPPO chief over the past year.

The IPPO reported that, despite challenges, Razalan’s leadership made significant strides in maintaining peace and order in Iloilo.

The IPPO launched comprehensive campaigns targeting illegal drugs, wanted persons, illegal gambling, loose firearms, illegal fishing, illegal quarrying, and illegal logging.

Since Razalan assumed command on April 19, 2024, IPPO units conducted 370 operations that led to the arrest of 475 individuals, including 117 high-value targets.

Seized illegal drugs weighed 15.86 kilograms and were valued at around PHP106.7 million.

Police filed 990 cases in court during Razalan’s tenure.

Razalan also intensified operations against wanted persons, with 1,064 operations leading to the arrest of 1,066 fugitives, including 252 most-wanted individuals.

In the campaign against illegal gambling, IPPO conducted 146 operations, resulting in the arrest of 374 individuals and the confiscation of PHP135,521 in illegal gambling proceeds.

The drive against loose firearms featured 198 operations, resulting in 173 arrests and the confiscation of 201 firearms.

Additionally, 451 firearms were surrendered and 155 deposited.

In efforts to protect Iloilo’s marine resources, IPPO conducted 300 anti-illegal fishing operations, apprehending 806 individuals and seizing 466 fishing vessels.

The campaign against illegal quarrying led to 296 operations and the arrest of 317 individuals, along with the impoundment of 314 vehicles.

In the drive against illegal logging, 13 operations were conducted, resulting in 19 arrests and the confiscation of 3,885.9 board feet of lumber worth PHP177,745.